Hi David,
I will grant to you that (1) Jesus' call to
repentance INCLUDED a call to turn from sinfulness; however, surely you will
agree with me that that could not happen under their wrong "paradigm"
concerning Jesus/God himself and the kingdom of God; that has to get right first
-- Jesus knew that and meant that firstly; not only that but at the time of the
call the Spirit had not yet been given to aid in their transformation. As it (2)
relates to Peter's sermon, and in that context, metanoia is a call to
believe in Jesus, a change of mind about who they thought he was, to
believe instead in him as Lord and Christ. You will correctly note that in
the following verses and early chapters of the Acts account, that repentance of
those early converts into the Faith also INCLUDED a turning away from sin. I
would argue, however and once again, that this turning fruit came as a result of
their newly discovered inclusion in Christ, i.e., their changed belief
about Jesus, aided now by the Holy Spirit, and not as an
entry-level condition for such.
You may write, if you like. To be honest with you,
I believe it takes a theologically-informed, bigger "picture" to see and
draw the conclusions which I have drawn. I realize that your training is/has
been different than my own, so you may draw different conclusions than I have.
If you wish you may challenge those conclusions. I may learn from your views. I
will not want to debate the issue.
Blessings,
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 7:10
AM
Subject: [TruthTalk] Repentance
> Subject was " Basis of Unity" and now is "Repentance."
>
> Hi Bill. I realize that I am now entering into my reductionist mode, which
> in the past has made you a little uncomfortable. I am not trying to force
> this upon you. If you would rather just let this matter rest as is, that
> would be fine. However, I would like to press in further and define this
> word "repentance" before we define the gospel and ultimately talk about the
> basis of unity that comes through the gospel. We have a significant
> difference in understanding repentance, and until we hash that out a little,
> it may be difficult for us to come to a mutual understanding about the
> gospel and how it should be preached.
>
> Bill Taylor wrote:
> > I think repentance now, on this side of the
> > cross, is a very (super)natural response to
> > the Good News of our salvation. When Jesus
> > said "repent" he was speaking to the Jews,
> > those to whom the promise of the Kingdom
> > of God had been given. They would need
> > to repent of there false concepts concerning
> > the kingdom ... When you (and most others)
> > strip Jesus' word from this very Jewish context
> > and use it as the first words to our post resurrection
> > and ascension gospel, you change the very specific
> > meaning which Jesus was attempting convey.
> > ... Peter told them to change their minds about Jesus
> > ... tell them to change their minds about this Jesus
> > who died o secure for them the forgiveness of their
> > sins . . .
>
> I feel rather confident that I can go to some passages in the Bible and show
> that the Jewish context of repentance is not how you understand it to be. I
> am not saying that what you have shared is false. I'm just saying that it
> is not the complete picture. Furthermore, I think the emphasis is wrong.
>
> Before my taking time to do this, I would like a nod from you that moving in
> this direction would be interesting for you. If you object because I am
> being too reductionistic, or changing the subject, or whatever other
> objections have been raised by you or others when I attempt to be
> reductionistic and identify problem premises in our working paradigms,
> please say so now and it will save both of us time and frustration.
>
> For now, let me summarize your statements above about repentance. What I
> hear you saying is that repentance is:
>
> 1. Changing one's mind about false concepts concerning the kingdom.
>
> 2. Changing one's mind about Jesus.
>
> Please note that I often include both of these in my preaching and teaching.
> I find myself challenging people to change their minds about 1) sin, 2)
> Jesus Christ, 3) the Bible, and 4) what the kingdom of God is and how one
> enters it. So my desire to discuss this more deeply is not to refute your
> perspective, but to add some dimensions to it and to show that the Jewish
> context includes more than your present perspective.
>
> So give me a nod, and I will proceed, or ask me to back off, and I will
> oblige. Thanks.
>
> Peace be with you.
> David Miller.
>
>
> ----------
> "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
>
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